Elliott Dickman begins life as Sunderland under-23s boss on Friday evening as his side travel to Manchester City.
Fixture: Manchester City U23 v Sunderland U23
Location: City Football Academy
Date and kick-off: Friday 3 February, kick-off 7pm
Competition: Premier League 2
How they line-up: Manchester City
League position: 2th
League wins: 8
League defeats: 2
League goals scored: 30
League goals conceded: 20
League form guide: DWWDD
Spotlight: Manchester City under-23s coach Simon Davies
Born in Cheshire, Simon Davies was handed the role as development coach at Manchester City ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League 2 campaign.
The one time Macclesfield Town and Bangor City player retired from football in 2007 before taking charge of Chester City in 2008. Davies then joined Man City in 2013 as assistant under-23s coach before being named head development coach over the summer.
Key battle: Ethan Robson v Rodney Kongolo
Rodney Kongolo swapped Rotterdam for Manchester when he joined City from Feyenoord in 2014. The 18-year-old has been likened to former EDS boss Patrick Vieira in style because the Dutchman impressed in pre-season in both a box-to-box role and in a more defensive position. This match up in the centre of the park will be key as both players have a huge influence both the attacking and defensive side of their teams play.
